Description

Turn up the heat and indulge in this Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta with a Spicy Kick, a restaurant-style comfort dish loaded with bold Cajun flavor, tender chicken, smoky peppers, and a velvety Parmesan cream sauce. This is the perfect blend of easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, and spicy comfort food, making it a favorite for weeknights, casual dinners, or when you want to wow your guests. Whether you’re looking for dinner ideas, quick meal prep, or a flavorful twist on traditional pasta, this recipe hits all the right notes.

Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta

2 tbsp olive oil

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips

1 tsp Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

2. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté red and green bell peppers, jalapeño for 3-4 minutes.

5. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

6. Pour in chicken broth and stir. Lower the heat and slowly add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to thicken.

7. Stir in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Let cheese melt and sauce become smooth.

8. Add cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.

9. Finish with lemon juice and fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, creamier sauce.

Reserve some pasta water—it’s great for loosening the sauce if it gets too thick.

Add lemon juice at the end to balance the richness with brightness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American / Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 680
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 720
Fat: 38
Saturated Fat: 19
Unsaturated Fat: 14
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 3
Protein: 38
Cholesterol: 145

Keywords: creamy pasta, spicy dinner, rattlesnake pasta, easy recipe, dinner ideas, quick pasta, Cajun pasta